DREDGING PROGRAMME

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 16

DREDGING PROGRAMME

, FINANCIAL ASPECT TWO SHIFTS SUGGESTED MATTER DISCUSSED BY BOARD “ With a view to utilising the dredge Otakou, which cost some £127,000, to the "best advantage, I would suggest the formulation of a comprehensive dredging scheme which will further improve the facilities of our harbour,” stated a minute submitted by the chairman (MrW. Begg) to last night’s meeting of the Otago Harbour Board. The minute continued:—“You will observe from the combined report of the harbour master and engineer that the widening of Deborah Bay bend and the completion of the Mussel Bay reclamation is recommended ns the next work to be undertaken. It behoves the board at this stage to look ahead and plan its future dredging programme so that all factors can he co-ordinated and the work proceed without hitch and with the utmost despatch. “After Deborah Bay bend has been widened we have urgent work in the Upper Harbour, such as the widening of Victoria Channel between Ravensboume and Dunedin to 200 ft in order to complete the .Victoria Channel to the required depth of 22ft at low water, with a width of 200 ft in the straights and 250 ft in the bends; the extension of the swinging basin in the vicinity of the oil berth; the extension of the swinging basin off the end of Birch street wharf; the deepening of the various berths at Dunedin. “ In addition to this there is the desirability—if not the necessity—of dredging at the entrance when the new suction hose (now on order—comes to hand and when circumstances are favourable; “With the completion of the authorised work in the Victoria Channel, giving a depth of 22ft at low water, it should be possible, when circumstances permit, to relieve the congestion which at times occurs at Port Chalmers. “ Then again we are faced with problems in connection with our reclamation areas. When Mussel Bay is completed we have the old Leith estuary from Black Jack’s Point to Palmer’s Siding, which would take a certain amount of spoil, dependent upon the levels agreed upon in connection with the subdivision plan of this area, which, is now occupying the attention of the city engineer m°collaboration with our engineer. We must then have recourse to the southern endowment, where considerable expenditure on drainage will he necessary before further areas can he reclaimed. “ Another matter which has exercised my mind for some time is'whether we should not make the utmost use of the dredge bv working two shifts, at least during the period of long daylight. As you are aware, the vessel will have a limited life—we cannot expect her to last for 50 years like the old 222—and to work the vessel only 40 hours a week, while she remains idle for 128 hours — that is, she is standing idle for more than 75 per cent, of her life—is obviously not making the most use of this valuable tool. . “ Taking all these factors into consideration, T am of opinion that we should lay down a definite dredging scheme, and I propose with your approval to instruct the engineer . and harbour master to report upon the most urgent dredging and all relevant matters, on receipt of which T hope to he in a position to outline for your consideration a comprehensive dredging scheme; giving, of course, due consideration to the financial aspect.” Mr Begg said he was afraid that the season was too far advanced to arrange a double shift this year. He had asked the engineer if it was possible to carry on for a month with a double shift, and had received the reply that it was. The question was whether, talking into consideration the steaming time and the time for overhaul of the dredge, it was actually working 25 per cent, of its time. He moved that the minute he approved. Mr J. B. Waters seconded the motion, congratulating the chairman on his minute. Valuable time was always being wasted when dpuhVshifts were not possible. The working of double shifts would mean added costs, which, however, would be outweighed by the saving of time. There was a great deal of work before the dredge. Mr R. Duncan said that the best of the daylight was vanishing. He moved as an' amendment that the chairman and the deputy-chairman go into the matter with the harbour master, and. if possible, double shifts he started now. No further time should he lost, because the best of the year would soon pass and then the matter would have to be shelved for another 12 months. Mr F. H. D. Sharpe, who seconded the amendment, said there was not such a need for urgency as Mr Duncan had made out. The urgent part of the whole matter was the financial aspect. The point was; Coiild the board afford it? If it went on as suggested, how would it get on with its budget? Mr F. E. Tyson: Why does the question of daylight come into the matter? We used to work the dredges a 24-hour day. Mr Begg stated that he would like to see the dredge working a 24-hour day. Mr J. H. Duncan congratulated the chairman on his minute, which should be given consideration by the board. After all, Mr Duncan’s suggestion was that the matter should be expedited. There were many complications to he dealt with in this matter. Mr A. Campbell, M.P., said the chairman’s suggestion was very wise and sound. The cost_ of working two shifts would be practically double the present cost. Mr 1). Copland said all would agree that the dredge should be a combination of the bucket and suction types. Ho hoped that Mr R. Duncan’s suggestion would be considered. That it was only the financial aspect that was hindering the board from supporting the suggestion that the dredge go on to two shifts was the opinion expressed by Mr R. Harrison. Mr T. Scollay said he had no hesitation in supporting the amendment. No valid -reason had been put forward why two shifts should not be put into operation. Mr R. Duncan said that the idea of the amendment was that the double shifts should be put into operation at the earliest possible moment. Mr R. S. Thompson expressed agreement with the chairman’s minute., All members knew that the dredge was working too short a time. It cost £I,OOO in interest and depreciation whether the dredge was working or not. There would be a new_ board after May, and it was hardly fair to place a new hoard in the position of facing a substantial loss by the end of September. The harbour was now in a good condition, and it was possible to bring any ship in _ without accident. Ho considered it was -rather premature to embark on an increased dredging programme. .Mr W. Munro, M.P., said he took it the harbour master and the engineer

were working the dredge in the best interests of the board. The hoard must accept the opinions of its officers in the matter. He considered members would be ill-advised to vote in favour of the amendment. Mr Begg said the financial aspect was the most important. He would like to see two shifts on the Deborah Bay job If in the off season dredging was necessary in the Upper Harbour the dredge could bo taken there. Reclamation wort in the Upper Harbour was nocessarih confined practically to the southern endowment, but a great deal of spoil was not necessary there. One mattei that would have to be considered wa.i the Wilkie road sewerage, and until tin board could finance that scheme the re clamation work would have to be delayed. Mr Sharpe: I cannot see the urgency of tho dredging. Mr Begg: So far as X can see it h to get the bulk of the dredging finished so that the dredge will be available ii the Upper Harbour. The amendment was then put to tin meeting and lost and the motion car ried. On the recommendation of the bar hour master it was decided to continm the work of widening Mussel Bay to 5001 fc.